A-League report by Vitor Sobral
Queensland Roar v Perth Glory

The Queensland roar continued their woeful form in front of goal last
night as they played out a 0-0 draw with Perth Glory. The Roar barraged
the Glory goal in the second half but they just couldn't find that
coolness in front of goal so important to a team who lack goals.

Miron Bleiberg reverted to a 3-4-3 for this game, leaving Remo Buess on
the bench. Bleiberg said he had been working on getting the wide
players more involved during the week, but all the early chances came
through the middle and Alex Brosque.

In the 5th minute Brosque hit a low shot across goal, which Jason
Petkovic dealt with easily. Three minutes later another Brosque shot
went straight into the waiting arms of Petkovic.

The Roar were attacking in numbers the attacks were disorganised and
easily dealt with by the rigid Glory defence, this week starring Matt
Horsley at centre back. However Brosque almost broke the deadlock in
the 28th minute when his left foot shot went inches from the top
corner.

The Glory's attacks were few and far between but, with Queensland
pushing players forward, they Glory did look dangerous. Simon Colosimo
hit a lovely volley in the 35th that just whistled over the crossbar.

In the dying minutes of the first half Michael Baird released Brosque
into the box, but Petkovic saved Brosque's shot with his legs. As the
half came to a close the Glory could be happy with their performance,
but for the Roar it was appearing as one of those nights again.

Desperate for the three points, Queensland Roar came out all guns
blazing in the second half. Only one minute in and Brosque's ball put
Baird through on goal, Petkovic got a hand to it, and Horsley ended up
clearing the danger.

A minute later Baird shot from outside the area. It hit Horsley and
Matt McKay missed one the easiest chances so far as he failed with the
follow up, 6 metres from goal. The Roar were starting to a mass an army
on the Perth Glory goal box.

Still the Glory counter attacked when possible, and a one-two between
Bobby Despotovski and Damian Mori led to Despotovski's shot flying
across the face of goal.

For the next 15 minutes the Roar hit shot, after shot, after shot.
Petkovic pulled off another save from Baird, while Osvlado Carro hit
the bar.

In the 62nd minute Josh McCloughan headed down to Dodd just outside the
area. He tried to chip Horsley, but instead it hit Horsley's hand. Dodd
waved and yelled for a penalty, referee Simon Przydacz played on. The
follow-up shot was one again saved by Petkovic.

As the Roar were trying to battle the Glory defence, Josh McCloughan
was fighting a lone battle with Mori and Despotovski. In the 66th
minute he brought down Mori on the edge of the box. Free kick
specialist Despotovski missed the upright by centimetres with Thomas
Willis rooted to his goal.

Five minutes later and it was time for another string of shots from the
Roar. Brosque hit one wide from outside the box. An awful mistake from
Steve McMahon left Jonathan Richter in some space, but his shot went
just past the top corner.

Brosque again ran through the middle, but his low shot was saved by
Petkovic, who was having one of his best games of the season.

It was in the 83rd minute when the Roar fans must have been thinking
the Glory goal had been spellbound by a witch doctor. The ball somehow
got to Baird on the edge of the six-yard box. He somehow managed to
completely scuff his shot when it looked easier to score. The ball
bobbled around in the Glory box but the Roar were unable to latch on to
it.

With so many attacking raids on the Glory goal it would have been cruel
for the Glory to claim victory. But that's what almost happened in the
88th minute. Gibson was shielding the ball out for a goal kick, but he
lost it to Mori. Billy Celeski in front of goal scooped Mori's low
cross over. The Roar finally got some luck.

The clock ticked over and still the Roar couldn't breach the Glory
defensive wall. In the last minute of stoppage time Baird turned in the
box, but once again it was Petkovic to the rescue, saving Baird's low
shot with fantastic agility.

The Queensland Roar fans were left disappointed once again as the final
whistle blew. The Roar must regroup now and go on one of the toughest
road trips in the league, Melbourne, followed by Sydney. Perth Glory
will be happy to claim the point.